Dr. Rahul Sawant, CAQSaT Lab PI

Dr. Rahul Sawant is a physicist working at the intersection of atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics and quantum technologies. He currently leads the Cold Atoms Quantum Science and Technology (CAQSaT) Lab at IIT Madras, where his group develops high-precision quantum devices using ultracold atoms. His research spans quantum-enhanced sensing, optical atomic clocks, entanglement dynamics, and atom-photon interactions in cavity QED systems.

Prior to joining IIT Madras, Dr. Sawant held research and leadership roles at I-Hub QTF (IISER Pune), M Squared Lasers (UK), and Qulabs Software (India), and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Birmingham and Durham University in the UK. He has extensive experience in cold atom interferometry, optical trapping, laser cooling, and hybrid quantum systems.

Dr. Sawant holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Raman Research Institute, where he explored interactions between atoms, ions, and optical cavities. He has authored numerous research articles in leading journals. Through his teaching, mentoring, and lab-building efforts, he aims to bridge fundamental quantum science with practical quantum technologies for sensing and navigation.

Positions and Education:

• 2025–Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras,  India.

• 2023–2025: Faculty Fellow, I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation, IISER Pune, India.

• 2023: Quantum Optics Scientist, Qulabs Software (India) Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad.

• 2022–2023: Quantum Technology Scientist, M Squared Lasers, London, UK.

• 2019–2022: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Birmingham, UK.

• 2017–2019: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Durham University, UK.

• 2011–2017: Ph.D., Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, India.

• 2007–2011: B.Tech., NIT Surat, India.